“We had sent in some type of report in 2016 when I had first told my mom about everything that had happened,” Hernandez said, via NBC News. “The case was opened late 2019, early 2020, and so I think in all that time, it could have prevented a lot of athletes from having to go through the same thing that I went through.

“The toughest part about it was that there were no bruises or marks to show that it was real. It was all just so twisted that I thought it couldn’t be real.”

Laurie Hernandez of the United States performs during the 2016 Olympics on Aug. 17, 2016, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Haney apologizes, plans to appeal

Haney made her first public comments since the suspension was handed down, offering an apology in a statement to NBC News on Monday.

The 42-year-old coach also said she plans to appeal the suspension.

“My coaching techniques were at all times well-intended, meant specifically to lead her to her personal goal of achieving Olympic gold,” Haney said in a statement. “If the pursuit of excellence and the rigor of my coaching style has resulted in any harm to any gymnast that has been a part of my team, I am truly sorry.”

USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung also offered a statement following just the latest scandal to hit the organization in recent years.

“We vow to do better — to respond more emphatically, to resolve complaints more efficiently, and to be more vigilant,” USA Gymnastics CEO Li Li Leung said in a statement. “We will keep improving this process until our athletes and our community can trust it.”